Episode 5 - Chris Hubler's View and Jim Evans' Play, Too

An episode of The Plate Meeting, a LF Umpire Podcast from Close Call Sports

Welcome to The Plate Meeting, A Left Field Umpire Podcast, the official podcast of Close Call Sports & the Umpire Ejection Fantasy League, where we talk baseball umpiring with umpires, and discuss additional officiating related issues, including analysis or other conversation pertaining to plays, ejections, rules, and more.

Tmac & Gil discuss the high-profile Spring Training ejection of Astros Manager AJ Hinch by MLB Umpire Angel Hernandez and the social fallout over the event, where society stands in regard to umpire abuse and why Angel's lawsuit against MLB alleging racial discrimination helped fan the flames of an angry media and public. The show also touches on the computerized strike zone, pace of play, and how each league treats its officials.

Hosts tmac & Gil are joined by 25-year American League veteran umpire Rich Garcia to discuss his officiating career, a major league umpire strike and labor dispute, and his brief foray into the movie business as an umpire in the Kevin Costner-driven film, For Love of the Game. Rich also had a stint as a broadcast analyst and was on-air for the Kent Hrbek/Ron Gant play in the 1991 World Series. We talk about some ejections—such as Tim Foli over a dispute regarding how the baseballs were rubbed before the game—and also ask Rich if he had any odd plays in right field during his postseason career, and if he ever heard of a guy named Jeffrey Maier.

What happens after decision day at umpire school when affiliated ball says "no"? American Association Director of Umpires Ron Teague joins the show to discuss options, such as the Pro Umpire Camp held in March for officials seeking to gain experience and be seen by independent league decision makers. Ronnie also discusses a few notable moments from his career in Minor League Baseball while Can-Am Executive Director Kevin Winn stops by to reminisce and talk shop.

In this seventh episode of The Plate Meeting, a LF Umpire Podcast from Close Call Sports, 28-year MLB veteran crew chief Gary Darling joins the show to discuss his officiating career, UMPS CARE Charities, umpire nicknames, and answer some of your questions.

In this Plate Meeting Podcast, former MLB veteran Bob Davidson stops by to discuss umpire Joe West's historic near-perfect night during Game 3 of the ALCS in Houston, Angel Hernandez's resilient postseason plate performance in the New York ALDS after experiencing three overturned calls at first base the night before, on-field injuries, and, of course, a few umpiring stories along the way.

On this episode of The Plate Meeting, tmac & Gil are joined by Minor League veteran umpire and Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring Field Coordinator/instructor Chris Hubler, who discusses his 10-year professional baseball umpiring career, including a stint as HR Derby umpire during MLB All-Star festivities. American League Umpire Jim Evans also stops by the show to surprise Chris with a JEAPU-caliber brain teaser involving a balk, base hit, batting-out-of-order appeal, and catcher's interference play.

This episode is a video minisode of Tmac's Teachable Moments, featuring audio commentary pertaining to four Replay Review events and the techniques used by the umpires in response to these various plays. Tmac discusses starting position, preparation, and the patience/timing involved in properly officiating some unexpected and close sequences that may occur in baseball.
Because this is a video episode, for an optimal viewing experience, you may wish to view the related post at CloseCallSports.com

Former Minor League umpire and CEO of Official Business Brian Hertzog joins the show to discuss his career, release from professional baseball, life after his time in the minors, and rebounding to launch Official Business.
We also discuss situation handling alongside a few brawls Brian encountered during his time in Triple-A as well as the catcher-umpire dynamic and the science behind the team-umpire disconnect.

This is the first episode of The Plate Meeting from CloseCallSports.com, with hosts Tmac, Gil, and our guest, 30-year major league and World Series umpire Bob Davidson. In this episode, we hear Bob's story of getting to the big leagues and relive some notable ejections and other moments from his decades of service in professional baseball.